What Happens During a Cardiopulmonary Exercise Stress Test

An exercise physiologist guides a child through an exercise stress test on a treadmill

Cardiopulmonary (heart-lungs) exercise stress tests are given by doctors and specialists at the Cardiopulmonary Exercise Laboratory in the Children’s Heart Center.

Your child will exercise on a bicycle (supine or upright) or treadmill, and each test will follow a set protocol:

You and/or your child will answer some questions about your child’s functional status and general health and well-being.
Your child will have a resting electrocardiogram (EKG). The EKG is a noninvasive test that records your child’s heart rhythm —nothing will be inserted into your child’s body.
Pulmonary (lung) function tests may be given. These lung tests measure your child’s lung capacity - how much air the lungs can exhale and inhale (lung volume). They include:
- Vital capacity (SVC) – the maximum amount of air your child can slowly blow out (exhale) of the lungs.
- Forced vital capacity (FVC) – the maximum amount of air your child can forcibly blow out (exhale) of the lungs.
- Maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) – the maximum amount of air your child can move (ventilate) in and out of the lungs for 12-15 seconds.
Finally, your child will perform a cardiopulmonary (heart-lungs) exercise stress test. The exercise stress test safely evaluates your child’s cardiopulmonary (heart-lungs) system and muscles during strenuous physical activity. The length of the test will vary.